Brigade Activities
Although the Brigade is a service oriented organization, that has never stopped us from having fun. In fact, "fun" is part of our mission statement! With positive, good high character students it is virtually impossible to separate "service" from "fun". Lots and lots of cookies help as well. Below are some brief descriptions of just some of our activities.
Veterans Day Dinner
Every year the Civil War Brigade hosts a dinner on Veterans Days for the local American Legion and others who served their country. This is just one small way to thank these veterans for their sacrifices.
American Legion Flag Placement
Last year the Brigade assisted the local American Legion by placing flags on the graves of veterans in the spring and collecting the worn flags in the fall.
Groundhog Day
Every year in honor of the 26th Ohio Infantry, better known as the "Groundhog Regiment", the Brigade hosts a Groundhog Day Party. We eagerly await the appearance of Phil each year.
Bake Raffles
One of our most profitable fundraisers in our Bake Good Raffles. We usually hold one or two a year and sell tickets during a boys' basketball game. Best of all, 100% of the proceeds goes to battlefield preservation.
Field Trip to Norm Archer's Glass Studio
One of the Brigade's annual highlights is paying a visit to Norm Archer and his glass studio. Norm designs and make Tiffany-style lampshades much as they did in the 1800's We also enjoy his demonstration of his reproduction Civil War cannon. Warm cider and cookies don't hurt either!
Cemetery Research
One of our more interesting activities is to research local Civil War veterans and then locate their graves. We update our database of veterans' graves and honor each veteran with a flower arrangement.
We also preserve their history of their grave by making lead rubbings of the tombstone face.
We also preserve their history of their grave by making lead rubbings of the tombstone face.
Civil War Chats
We host one or two Civil War Chats after school each month. This gives teachers and students a chance to present on a topic they have research or to learn more about the Civil War in a fun setting. Of course, cookies and snacks help as well!
Movie Nights
Something new this year is a Movie Night where we gather to watch a Civil War themed film and then discuss its accuracy in portraying Civil War life.
Walkathon & Fiesta
Another annual highlight is the Walkathon and Fiesta to close out the school year. Students raise donations for each lap walked in order to raise money for battlefield preservation. The evening ends with a taco bar fiesta and promotion ceremony for the upcoming year.
Community Presentations
The students in the Brigade have offered up their knowledge and ability to help educate the local communities. They have presented at the Muchinppi Festival as well as the American Association of University Women.
Artillery Demonstrations
The Brigade welcomes Bob Kelley of Taylor's Battery reenactors to our campus to demonstrate the workings and firing of a Civil War cannon.